Spring is Buzzing at National Harbor

NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vicki Bendure, APR
Bendure Communications, Inc.
202-374-9259 cell
Vicki@bendurepr.com

Spring is Buzzing at National Harbor
Home to more than 435,000 honeybees as part of National Harbor’s commitment to conservation

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., April 20, 2023—National Harbor is home to more than 435,000 honeybees as part of the property’s conservation and sustainability commitment. Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center has 10 hives and more than 350,000 honeybees on the roof of its convention center, up from 8 hives in 2017 when it began beekeeping. Tanger Outlets National Harbor installed its rooftop hive in June, 2021 and now has 50,000 honeybees. The Waterfront District at National Harbor started its hive last summer and has more than 35,000 honeybees. The bees collectively pollinate the local environment covering approximately 12.57 square miles and helping plant life to flourish. They also produce hundreds of pounds of honey a year.

Tanger Outlets and the Waterfront District rely on urban beekeepers Alveole. The company provides beekeeping services to schools, companies, corporations and organizations interested in improving sustainability. It assigns a beekeeper to each location and regularly checks in on the hives to ensure they don’t swarm and leave (something all beekeepers dread).

Last week, when Jordan (the beekeeper) arrived at Tanger Outlets at National Harbor to open up the hive for spring, he heard the unmistakable sound of a new virgin queen “piping.” He realized that the prior queen had left to find a new home and taken half of the colony with her. (There can only be one queen per bee colony.) In this case, the departing queen left behind an egg to ensure her successor. This new queen will now go on a mating flight before returning to the hive ready to lay up to 1,000 eggs per day.

“Bees play an important environmental role and we’re happy to help them,” said Chris Borgal, AVP Asset Management and Operations with National Harbor. “Much of our horticulture and agriculture is due to bee pollination.”

Honey harvested is put to good use. In 2022, Tanger National Harbor gifted 100 jars of its honey to its Tanger Club members. Gaylord National Harbor used around 200 pounds of honey last year in specialty cocktails and amenities for VIP guests.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, colony loss is still an issue for honey bees. With commercial properties, like National Harbor, providing a safe haven for honey bees to thrive, there is a greater chance of conserving the bee population. As climate change worsens, it’s predicted to have a significant impact on the regional bee population. National Harbor has seen spikes in weather over the past few years and recognizes the vulnerability of its bee colonies. “We know that we have to vigilantly monitor the bees and make sure they have enough warmth and food in winter months to survive,” added Borgal.

In celebration of Earth Day, on Saturday, April 22, Tanger Outlets National Harbor will be hosting an Earth Day Bee Workshop. Visit the Food Truck Plaza to learn more about this exciting project hosted by Alvéole while enjoying crafts with Kidcreate Art Studio, giveaways and family fun!

For more information on National Harbor, visit www.nationalharbor.com.